This session will show how integrating Success Criteria with sensemaking pillars enhances 3D learning for elementary students. Participants will learn to create clear Success Criteria that guide young learners through authentic phenomena and foster equitable engagement in science practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Success Criteria empower elementary students to engage deeply with scientific phenomena, connecting their ideas to practices and achieving clarity in their learning, promoting a more equitable 3D learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Laura - Ashley Hayes

This session will discuss the influence of role models on STEM identity development, which research shows is critical for students from underrepresented populations. Social networks and video conferencing platforms have removed barriers so that students can meet people in STEM careers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Social networks such as LinkedIn and video conferencing platforms such as Zoom can be leveraged to bring alumni from your school back into your classroom in future years as STEM professionals. These former students can connect in profound ways that even the best teachers cannot match.

SPEAKERS:
Derrick Wood

Learn how various technologies of space communication can let your school chat with an astronaut LIVE in space through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. Investigate the use of electromagnetic waves, as well as the affects of life in space in these shared interactive lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to submit a proposal to ARISS to talk to an astronaut LIVE. The exciting ISS Chat is a day student will always remember, but it is just part of an extended learning opportunity about life, physical and space sciences. Examples of lesson plans will be shared and modeled.

SPEAKERS:
Dara Gardner

The same problems often crop up with group work. Learners that want to work individually, trouble with ideation, and kids who feel they don't belong in this activity or field. I will share a workshop with the goals of supercharging group work with empathetic design and fostering empowerment.

TAKEAWAYS:
You will see pictures from programs, example setups, and sample student projects. I will share how to set up a budget-friendly drop-in makerspace, manage students' creativity reservoirs, and how this culminated in high-quality focused group work.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Sieke

This session will provide practical tips and templates of how teachers can promote family engagement in the science classroom through student-family interviews on relevant course topics and family project-sharing sessions. Examples are for 9th grade Biology but easily modified for other sciences!

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging families, even at the secondary science level, is important, possible, and can be simple for both teachers and students with student-family interviewing and family project-sharing strategies incorporated into the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kayla Silvers

Science films are immersive storytelling formats that can engage students and promote conceptual understanding, while also supporting science identity formation and nature of science learning. Get a quick demo of free short films and teaching resources by the Science Communication Lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave knowing the different types of free science films and teaching resources made by the Science Communication Lab, examples of science standards they cover, and where to access them.

SPEAKERS:
Shannon Behrman

Middle school is a crucial period of cognitive development, where students are honing critical thinking skills and expanding their understanding of the world around them. Engaging with science current events offers a myriad of benefits. It nurtures curiosity and prepares informed engaged citizens.

TAKEAWAYS:
Want to engage students with the very cutting edge of science and technology development? Do students need connection and insights into the scientific method in action? In this session, learn to reap the benefits of scientific journalism & cultivate the scientifically literate citizens of tomorrow.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Kelly

This presentation will explore the implementation of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) within an integrated math and science 9th grade course, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and practical strategies for effective assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore Integration of Math and Science: Present the pedagogical rationale for integrating math and science in the freshman curriculum. Share examples of interdisciplinary lessons and assessments that utilize SBG principles.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Vogl, Zhanna Glazenburg

The iDrone Online Camp engages middle and high school students in STEM through hands-on drone technology experiences. Participants engage in project-based learning, competitions, and FAA Part 107 discussions, enhancing critical thinking, teamwork, and self-efficacy in STEM.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will highlight the positive impact of experiential learning on students' STEM interests and career aspirations.

SPEAKERS:
Jiyoon Yoon

Discover strategies for integrating data analysis, AI concepts, and cybersecurity literacy into K-12 core subjects. This session provides practical, cross-disciplinary approaches to empower students with essential 21st-century skills while meeting curriculum standards across various content areas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will gain ready-to-implement techniques for integrating data, AI, and cyber literacy into their existing curricula. They'll leave with resources and strategies to enhance student engagement and prepare them for an increasingly digital world.

SPEAKERS:
Charles Wang

Are you looking for ways to make your Introductory/General Education College Science Classes more engaging for students? Join your colleagues as they share how they have put research into practice in their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Put research into practice as you experience these engaging, relevant, and real approaches to teaching non-majors.

SPEAKERS:
Sarah Haines, Victor Pereira

Saving Flood Line Area is based on Research that my students and I did at Boys Latin Charter High School. Based on the flooding of the Vine Street Express way three years ago. Students look at the change in weather and ways that we could possible help other cities.

TAKEAWAYS:
This presentation gives knowledge about the changing in our weather climate and how we can support each other in these changes due to flooding in areas.

SPEAKERS:
Anthony Edmond-Pinckney

Every science lesson is a chance to build student literacy skills! Accentuating language and literacy skills is sure to build student science understanding while cultivating science knowledge. This session will provide actionable techniques that build student literacy skills through rigorous science

TAKEAWAYS:
Teaching science with a literacy mindset accentuates the learning of both science and literacy. Participants will be provided with the tools they need to support literacy in their daily instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Talada

We will discuss plans for working with a cohort of 12 K-5 teachers on developing: leadership skills, climate change content knowledge, and strategies for including ALL learners in STEM teaching over the course of a 5-year period. We will be at the beginning of an NSF-funded Noyce grant.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn tools and strategies for enhancing inclusive STEM teaching and learning about climate change for K-5 teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Matthew Taylor, Melissa Zrada, Helen Corveleyn, Lauren Madden

Are you tired of complaining about what is happening in your classroom, school, district, state? Be a problem solver. Find out how you can make a difference as a teacher activist!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn about how to advocate for themselves, their colleagues, their students without compromising their positions as educators. They will learn to be confident and voices for legislators who need guidance on how to write legislation for our educators and students.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

This presentation shares my research on using computer simulations to model concepts in a middle school chemistry unit. Models offer a framework for understanding chemical processes, tested and refined in virtual simulations, helping students engage in iterative learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway from this presentation is that computer simulations, combined with models, enhance middle school students' understanding of chemistry

SPEAKERS:
Jerry Coronado, Cecilia Duenas

University/College instructors talk about how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses for preservice teachers. Come and listen to their stories and ask them questions! Find out the benefits that this opportunity provides you and your teacher candidates.

TAKEAWAYS:
Many university/college instructors are using NSTA resources in lieu of a textbook when teaching preservice teacher courses. Participants will meet some of these instructors to learn how they integrate NSTA resources in their courses and about the benefits of the program.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez

Educators can integrate Minecraft Education with academic standards. They can create challenges for students to gauge students' interests and provide creativity using Minecraft. Educators will also discover that there are built in lesson plans on Minecraft Education to assist with standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
After this session, participants will be able to create lesson plans, integrate standards from multiple academic content with Minecraft Education. Educators will be able to instill enthusiasm and positive learning outcomes using Minecraft Education to teach students their core academic content.

SPEAKERS:
Veena Black

Using the fishbowl strategy, you can turn classroom discussions into an event where students all participate, actively listen and then reflect on the conversation. This strategy works really well for engaging students who are quiet as well as moderating students dominate the conversation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use a fishbowl discussion to create space for all student voices in a discussion and reflect on the discussion using a rubric. Take home an editable and Canvas-ready copy of the rubric.

SPEAKERS:
Ilana Saxe

Integrated Science Workshops bring science into activities kids already do and love. Science is Elemental has developed several of these involving the arts, music, and soccer. Come learn how we weave (Fabric Arts: Friction and Tension!) science concepts, like vector and power, into fun activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Integrated Science Workshops can be adapted for the students’ grade-levels and for the time available, all while teaching key science concepts made accessible through activities kids love.

SPEAKERS:
Ann Miller

This session will focus on engaging educators with quick, actionable insights and teaching strategies that bring the study of ancient climates into the classroom. Participants will explore classroom-ready activities such as ice core simulations and data analysis tools that align with NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Key takeaways: Understanding how Earth's climate has changed over time using proxy data. Hands-on classroom activities to engage students with real-world applications of paleoclimatology. Tools to connect paleoclimate studies with modern climate science, enhancing climate literacy.

SPEAKERS:
Diane Ripollone

A teacher leader serves as a model not only for fellow educators but also for aspiring student leaders. When educators demonstrate leadership within the community, students witness authentic examples of leadership, inspiring them to become leaders themselves. Ideas promoting leadership to be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teacher leaders will be empowered to inspire both their colleagues and students to make a meaningful impact within their community. Participants will leave with practical, actionable ideas and resources to implement a program that fosters and enhances student leadership in their school community.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Slota

This session will explore how a cell-phone free classroom has impacted student learning and how when done in conjunction with Apple Classroom or other tools can change how students learn and collaborate.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn some of the advantages of a cell phone free classroom and will learn some strategies for how to make students forget they even brought their phone.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Aguiar

This session will explore an inquiry-based strategy for redesigning middle school lab notebooks to meet diverse learning needs. This strategy improves student engagement and performance while allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of all 3 dimensions of the NGSS framework.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn key parts of an effective lab notebook that helps students incorporate all 3 dimensions of the NGSS framework. Through enhanced structures, students will have authentic opportunities to show what they know and can do.

SPEAKERS:
Emily Marino

The STEM Cultural Online Night project explored how integrating culturally responsive instruction improves STEM affinity and cultural competence among American and Korean teacher candidates through six weeks of international online collaboration, enhancing cultural awareness into STEM education.

TAKEAWAYS:
The session will highlight the benefits of cross-cultural collaboration in developing effective, culturally-aware teaching strategies.

SPEAKERS:
Jiyoon Yoon

Retakes have been a hot topic in allowing students to demonstrate learning mastery. This has been supported by many including the work of Dr. Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity, but how does this work in practice in a science setting? Join to hear from someone who has tried this out.

TAKEAWAYS:
An honest reflection on the application of offering retakes to students in written assessments to help you make an informed decision on your own grading practices.

SPEAKERS:
Will Leech

Using historical contexts, this unit considers industrialization as a catalyst for change over time. Learners analyze environmental data from newspapers and government reports.The unit ends with students contributing to the design of reclaimed 19th and 20th century buildings for 21st century uses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn how historical photos, newspapers and technical reports can inspire students to imagine solutions for current challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Joy Barnes-Johnson

Adapted from companies like Google and 3-M, this 100% student-driving PBL allows students to pursue sense making and learning on a topic of their choosing as it relates to the content area.  Students work through the process from driving questions to public presentations in just 10 class periods.

TAKEAWAYS:
This process/project is accessible for students at any ability level, given the appropriate scaffolds, and EVERY student can find something they are passionate about to research. You can do this in your classroom and make it your own!

SPEAKERS:
Katie Mercadante

This session will engage participants in authentic data using dynamic, publically available interactive tools. The data tools presented empower learners to evaluate biodiversity distribution, protected areas, and human impacts on sustainable development.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to construct an explanation of humans' multiple impacts on biodiversity using interactive research tools that are dynamically updated to reveal global and local species distributions and changes in human land use.

SPEAKERS:
Missie Olson, Jocelyn Miller

A showcase of dynamic spreadsheet chemistry lessons that provide instantaneous, differentiated feedback to students as they learn or practice new content independently or in small groups. This method amplifies confidence for students of all abilities and frees teachers to assist those most in need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will learn the power of using free digital spreadsheets in making presentations for new content. The use of this tool makes practicing content and skills helpful, engaging, and memorable. Educators will be able to envision how to use this tool in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Sean Regan

Explore the link between targeted vocabulary instruction and improved comprehension in STEM. Through practical examples, attendees will learn one strategy and examine a tool to enhance scientific literacy while maintaining content rigor and concept retention for all learners in their classes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how explicit vocabulary instruction enhances comprehension and concept retention in science.

SPEAKERS:
Shana Pyatt-Buckner

Case studies are a great learning tool for postsecondary general education students who may struggle to engage with and understand complex scientific topics. In this presentation, the use of specific case studies in a general education Biology class and the benefits of their use will be discussed.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the benefits of case studies in the science classroom. Case study resources and teaching methods, as well as specific examples of case studies related to classroom topics, will also be discussed.

SPEAKERS:
Rachel Pritchard

After learning the chemistry of sugar, starch, and fiber, students use information from food labels to measure out the correct weight of sugar, starch and fiber and create physical presentations to compare energy value in familiar foods.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get everything they need to implement this activity in their classroom, whether during a nutrition unit or during a unit on types of energy. This activity weaves in themes such as human body energy needs, cultural food choices, food deserts, and student wellness.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Grumbach

Find out how to modify your current instruction to better communicate the dynamic process of science using an interactive tool from the Understanding Science website. Help students recognize science as a dynamic, exciting, creative, and intensely human endeavor!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use the Science Flowchart interactive journaling tool, which allows students to make visible the dynamic process of science and helps them recognize the NGSS SEPs in their own inquiry.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent

Be a teacher-leader! The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association offers resources for enriching your practice, cash awards, and national networking, as well as opportunities to serve a national organization, publish and present, and build a stronger resume.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with the ability to participate in national educator outreach, to connect with science teachers in other districts and states, and to enrich their practice.

SPEAKERS:
Anne Schoeffler

Use real-world phenomena as class starters to engage students and link science with other subjects. Discover ready-to-use images and prompts for all content areas that spark discussion, deepen inquiry, and foster cross-disciplinary learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to use real-world phenomena to show students that science is everywhere. By linking science with other subjects, they’ll discover how to make classroom topics more engaging, relevant, and connected to the world around them.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Sharpe

Elevating students’ academic and social status is directly related to student learning outcomes according to researchers. Shifting status also builds more inclusive learning spaces. This session provides practical teacher moves to shift the status of students in their science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will consider the role of status in their current classroom, how status impacts group work and learning, and how to elevate the status of students. Attendees will gain inclusive, high leverage practices to raise status that can be used immediately with students during group tasks.

SPEAKERS:
Takumi Sato, PhD

This session will describe how stop action videos are one of the most powerful and most underused tools in life science education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave understanding how stop action videos can be such a powerful tool and will be able to think about how they might incorporate them into their own teaching.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Aguiar

Engineering design is not just a way to teach STEM—it is a gateway to thrilling problem-solving and innovation for K-12 students! This session dives into Teach Engineering, an incredible FREE resource brimming with over 1,850 dynamic and hands-on STEM activities, lessons, and maker challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teach Engineering is a free, online collection of K-12 STEM resources that integrate engineering into science, technology and math learning. This session will demonstrate key features and benefits of the Teach Engineering digital collection.

SPEAKERS:
Dua Chaker, Jennifer Kracha, Ellen Sukovich

This presentation will share the results of my research on whether transdisciplinary learning is the best student-centered method to foster deep learning, and how leveraging tools from multiple disciplines can build students’ capacity to address global challenges through critical "transfer skills."

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how transdisciplinary learning transcends conventional subject boundaries, enabling higher-order thinking for deep learning. This student-centered approach proves to be a highly effective method for developing cognitive skills in reasoning and solving real-world problems.

SPEAKERS:
Cecilia Duenas

This presentation will share results of my research with a middle school science class on how the online program Classbank boosts student motivation for reassessment in mastery-based learning. It examines how game-like rewards impact students' willingness to improve performance and perceive learning

TAKEAWAYS:
A key takeaway is how Classbank's gamification enhances middle school students' motivation to engage in reassessment, driving improvement in performance.

SPEAKERS:
Alma Fernandez, Cecilia Duenas

Come learn about an AI tool that can create custom chatbots. Science teachers in rural Colorado are using these chatbots to support their newcomer multilingual students in Biology, Chemistry and more! This platform keeps student data more secure than ChatGPT or Gemini and can be used for free.

TAKEAWAYS:
Custom chatbots can be used to support language acquisition without just translating everything. Leave with the knowledge of how to create your own chatbot and an understanding of how this tool can be used and adapted in your own home setting.

SPEAKERS:
Megan Fretz

This presentation shows examples of how student choice can be incorporated into culminating group projects to help build collaboration and allow students to share their ideas and teach others what they’ve learned. Examples range across grades K-5 for a variety of topics.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see how student choice can be incorporated into any unit in grades K-5 to allow students the opportunity to show what they learned, teach others the information they found most interesting, and collaborate with their peers.

SPEAKERS:
Marie Elaina Zuccaro

Presenter will share how using customized checklists have aided in student success and clearer communication among all stakeholders. These checklists are used throughout each unit and detail requirements for mastery as well as necessary assignments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to better support student learning at all levels by creating their own checklists for student use. These checklists promote mastery of content while keeping all stakeholders updated on the student’s progression of learning.

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Starks

How to set up a long term weather journal project and what to do with the data when you are done using weather apps and sites. With long-term data (6-8 weeks) students can set up a preliminary climatograph and make some assumptions about climate regions for that season of the year.

TAKEAWAYS:
By having students choose a variety of locations globally, each can learn more about the progression of seasons in different hemispheres, day/night cycles, weather and climate to share with others in the class for enrichment of all.

SPEAKERS:
Tina Harris

This session explores self -care needs, practices and work-life balance experiences of Science Educators in The Bahamas.

TAKEAWAYS:
Effective self-care practices promote effective work-life balance and enhances professional practice.

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Hogg

Ai is the buzzword in education today! Discover how to incorporate Ai into your classroom—not just to support teaching, but to enhance student learning. Learn how Ai can prevent misuse and cheating while fostering academic integrity. Let us assist you in using Ai effectively in education.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will leave with strategies to incorporate AI tools into their classrooms. We’ll demonstrate how to integrate AI into STEM challenges, making lessons more engaging and interactive. Explore the best AI tools available to enhance both teaching and learning experiences in meaningful ways.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Woodard, Alicia Yewcic

Bringing a popular film into the classroom can be a great way to increase enthusiasm or engage learners. Movie sheets provide a free treasure trove of guiding questions and concept checks to make sure the students are following along.

TAKEAWAYS:
Over the last decade, my pre-service students and I have been creating free movie sheets that are posted to the free site (moviesheets.com) for anyone to use. The sheets cover all types of genres, academic levels, and disciplines.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel

Come along on a fun-filled journey to incorporating Science vocabulary schoolwide and in the classroom.  Explore strategies and activities to help your students understand the world around them in engaging ways--one science word at a time.  There is something for every type of learner!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be given a Padlet link with resources for ways to incorporate science vocabulary in their school and classrooms. The Padlet includes a list of books by science topic to teach and reinforce science vocabulary by integrating literacy into science.

SPEAKERS:
Tara McClintick

In this session, we will examine how to leverage time used to practice and reinforce math and reading skills to also include phenomenon-based science. By using math and ELA standards as a starting point, short units building off of a common science phenomenon are created.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will experience a phenomenon-based, science-focused lesson series that was designed to help reinforce and practice the standards in math and ELA.

SPEAKERS:
Miranda Orellana

Enhance the experience of STEM by fostering hands on experimentation using project-based learning and real-world examples. Join our conversation where we will be generating themes and context to support bilingual instruction and culturally responsive practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to enhance the nuances of STEM PBL within the classroom and discover the challenges of this approach (i.e. ill-defined tasks, cultural integration, contexts and state standards) and design components.

SPEAKERS:
Andrew Kipp, Nipah Onkananuwonk